As
Solstice approaches in Season Four, Xena considers unsettling parallels between
the fairy tale she contributed to in IF THE SHOE FITS and Alti’s vision of
Gabrielle’s death, which continues to haunt them in the subsequent PARADISE
FOUND and India arc, culminating in IDES OF MARCH.

“Uh
huh.”Gabrielle chuckled, recalling his
version of the tag-team fairy tale they’d tortured poor little Princess Alecia
with – his character “Tyro” dancing, singing, displaying social graces to die
for.“Wonder if he’ll ever be that
talented in real life.”

“Mm.If so, you’ll be right up there too.”Xena snickered.“His lovely partner.With
one shoe.”

“Humph.At least I wasn’t a useless twit.”Gabrielle scowled at her soulmate. “The
Fairy Godssister of Dishes some people imagined me.”

“Pfft.Aphrodite’s the one made you a hag.”Xena raised an accusatory brow.“And your evil stepmother resembled way too
much a certain Warrior Princess.”

“But
they’re so versatile,” Xena said, a devilish gleam in her eyes.“Irresistibly enticing.”

“Xeeena.”

“Okay,
okay.”Xena crossed her fingers.“No more ripping up your clothes to bind and
gag smelly warlords.”

“And?”

“What?Your scrolls?Fine.No more using them
in the bushes.”Xena smirked.“Unless you do it first.”

“What?Back when we had the trots?That was an emergency.And it wasn’t one I’d written on.”

“You scratched
your fungus with my chakram.Cut fish
with it.And what about trading my whip
to Minya?Or playing around with my
sword?”

Gabrielle
narrowed her eyes at the smug warrior.“Fine.We’ll both confine our
hands to what’s appropriate.”

“Works
for me.Hmmm. Guess I was right after
all.”

“Must
you make everything a competition?I
just told you –.”

“I
meant, what I told Alecia.About fairy
tales having a purpose – even Joxer’s.”Xena put her arm around Gabrielle.“I discovered some things I might’ve missed otherwise.I really will try to do better.”

Gabrielle
rested her head on Xena’s shoulder.“You’re not so bad.”She
snickered.“Not‘the meanest, crankiest, most horrid woman
alive’ anyway.”

“I’ve
been called worse.”

“Mm.Maybe we’ve both been a little oversensitive
lately.”

Xena
gave Gabrielle a squeeze.“Yeah, crazy
as this last adventure was?Turned into
a nice diversion.”

The
two were quiet a moment.They’d been
through a lot the last year.The
aftermath of the Dahak tragedies.Gabrielle’s presumed death in the evil god’s fiery pit.Xena’s fear she’d be the catalyst to
fulfill Alti’s vision of Gabrielle’s crucifixion.The warrior herself nearly succumbing to Shark Island Prison and
“the crusader” Najara.

“Uh huh.”Gabrielle returned Xena’s squeeze.“Aphrodite, Joxer. Zantor’s gang, a
broken-hearted little girl and her parents.Can’t get any better than that.We survived, like always.”She
turned to hold Xena’s eyes.“I’d say
the message is, we’ll do it again tomorrow.”

“Uh,
right.Solstice.”Xena rubbed her chin.”Same time as always.How could I forget?”

♣♣♣♣♣

The
blond cherub pranced through a forest, singing and throwing kisses to the
birds, arms flapping until she too soared to the heavens.An eagle shadowed her, discouraging any
predators.The cherub passed through
the crest of tall oaks.When she
emerged, it seemed her wings had been clipped.She fell through branches and hit the dirt face down.Hair a tangled mess.Eyes now vacant.A toothless grin as ridiculous as her tattered hand-me-downs.

The
eagle’s shadow took the form of a female warrior, racing across the ground with
arms outstretched, but too late to catch the girl.The warrior picked her up and propped her against a small tree,
amused she looked like a scarecrow.Suddenly a burst of light transformed the girl into a pristine, white-gowned
fairy godsmother.The two smiled at
each other.The fairy opened her arms
to embrace the warrior, but stopped short.For one thing, the warrior now wore a beaded headdress rimmed in blood
above sunken, soulless eyes.For
another, the fairy discovered her hands nailed to a cross.

“Noooo!”

“Xena?Are you all right?”

Xena
felt a touch to her shoulder.“Wh-what?”Eyes clenched, she
rolled her head in confusion.The
fairy?Was she free?She peered up groggily into concerned green
eyes.Yes!Except ….

“Um
….”Xena propped on her elbows.“More like that fairy tale. The scary parts. Stepmothers with black
toenails.Snaggle-toothed
stepsisters.”Xena mustered a
grin.“Me in that awful frock Alecia
stuck me with in her version.”

“Mm.It was supposed to convey a message of
forgiveness and family.”

“Heh.You know me.If there’s a dark side, I’ll find it.”

“Well,
we can’t have that.Not tonight.You need your rest for tomorrow.”Gabrielle smirked.“Could take awhile finding just the right place to shop.”`

“Riiiight.How thoughtless of me.”

“Not
to worry.”Gabrielle pushed Xena down
and snuggled next to her.“I’ll be
right here.Any more wicked witches
come after you, they’ll have to get through me.”

“Mm.”Xena closed her eyes.“I can see my dreams brightening already.”

♣♣♣♣♣

Xena’s
dreams had indeed brightened.They
involved battle scenes, but neither Alti nor herself as an evil witch cursing
Gabrielle with crucifixion.Shopping,
on the other hand, presented a nightmare she couldn’t escape.One which had so far covered three days’
worth of markets her partner deemed unacceptable.Which explained the warrior’s relief at sighting a sprawling,
teeming, seemingly endless bazaar at the base of a hill they were descending.

“Xena!I think we’ve finally found it!”

“Thank
the gods,” Xena muttered.“Um, yeah,
what luck.”

“Isn’t
it exciting?”Gabrielle rubbed her
hands together.“I’ve so missed
browsing through someplace interesting.No particular mission in mind.Well, except for maybe a gift or two.”

“Mmhm.”Xena pulled on Argo’s reins.“Let’s get this over …. Uh, better get
going,” she said, leading the way.“Bargains won’t wait on ya.”

When
they reached the entrance to the market, Xena assumed her “at ease” posture in
expectation of orders from her Commander of Shopping.Gabrielle scoped out the territory and checked the sun’s
position.

“Okay.You start at that end.I’ll take the other.See that stand in front, near the
center?Smoked meat hanging from the
top?We’ll meet there at noon.Maybe get a bite to eat.We’ll switch sides after.Questions?”

“What
if I wanna buy somethin’?”

“A
surprise?”Gabrielle grinned.“You could take your saddlebags.That way I won’t know when – or if – you got
anything.Otherwise, I might guess,
depending on the types of shops in each sector.Not that I plan on bumping into you before the designated
time.Or, you could –.”

“That’s
not what I meant.”Xena stuck out
cupped hands like a child begging for candy.

“Oh.Sorry.”Gabrielle reached for her coin pouch.“Bad Mommy.Here ya go,” she
said, dispensing Xena’s shopping allowance.She winked.“Should be enough
left over for yourself and Argo.”

“That’s
my bard.Always thinking ahead.”

Gabrielle
smirked.“I try.You ready?”

“In a
minute.Go on.”Xena snorted.“Unless you’re too embarrassed.”

“Excuse
me?”

“You
know….”Xena pointed her chin at
Gabrielle’s improvised top.

“This?Pffft.Who’s gonna notice?Or
care?It’s not like we’re in Athens.Besides, I’ve gotten rather used to
it.”Gabrielle sucked in her
cheeks.“Especially since you promised
it wouldn’t end up like my previous one.”

Xena
rolled her eyes.“I have no plans for
it, no.”She rubbed her jaw.“Although … Argo could use a – .”

“Xenaaaa.”

“Just
kidding.”

“On
the other hand, a new look wouldn’t hurt.Brighter.Softer.”Gabrielle gazed innocently off into the
distance.“Like if we travel to
somewhere exotic.Didn’t you mention
India?”

“We
discussed it, yes.”

“Now that’s
a place I’d love to shop.Bet I could
find something there less … rustic.”

“No
doubt.”

“In
the meantime ….”Gabrielle headed
off.She waved over her shoulder.“See you at noon!”

The
warrior watched her partner practically skip away.She led Argo to a nearby field.Sighing, she stowed the horse’s bridle in the saddlebags she really
didn’t feel like lugging around all day, but shouldered anyway.“Well, at least one of us can roam free for
a while.”She swatted Argo’s flank.As the mare ambled off, Xena finally turned
toward her least favorite battlefield.The good news was, she already knew what she wanted.The bad news was, it could mean she had a
lot of time to kill.

♣♣♣♣♣

Though
Gabrielle had no idea what to get Xena, she had a pretty good idea what Xena
would get for her.She immediately scoured
booths with finished garments and bolts of cloth.Her eyes lit up when she spied an emerald green shawl.As did Zantron’s at her determined stride
his way.

“Morning.”

“Good
morning.”Gabrielle brushed her fingers
against the shawl.“Did you make this?”

“Yep.”

“Do
you have any more of this material?”

“Yep.”The merchant pulled a bolt from beneath his
counter.He eyed Gabrielle’s
attire.“Enough for a decent dress.”

Gabrielle
blithely took the bolt and set it prominently on the counter top. “I won’t need
that much.”She pulled a piece of
parchment from between her breasts.“It’s rough, but this is a sketch of what I want.”

Zantron
studied the drawing.“A vest?Kinda fancy for a fella.”

“It’s
for me.”Gabrielle smirked.“Think of it as a ‘fighting shirt.’I’m a warrior, so I need my arms free.”

“Mm.Not the only thing … free … in this skimpy
thing.Not much protection.”Zantron winked.“Must be real … fast.”He
got his measuring tape.“Come around so
I can take your size.”

Gabrielle
did so.“When will it be ready?”

“Not
much business today.Should have it by
tomorrow afternoon.”

“Excellent.One more thing.I won’t be buying it.”

“Say
again?”

“Hopefully
a friend of mine will.Tall,
dark-haired woman in a leather battledress.I believe it’ll be her Solstice gift for me.If she comes, pretend you know nothing about this.Let her to describe the look and size as
best she can.”

Zantron
shook his head.“What if you’re
wrong?Pffft.Not like I can pawn it off on anybody else.”

“I’ll
pay you half now.If she buys it,
charge her the other half.If she
doesn’t, I’ll bring it tomorrow.”At
the vendor’s agreement, Gabrielle started to walk away.“Oh, and wrap it nicely, okay?That’s not usually one of her many skills.”

♣♣♣♣♣

It
soon became apparent to Xena that her designated sector seemed less
gift-oriented than Gabrielle’s – mostly produce, practical implements and house
ware.She settled on a stall that sold
the tool she’d wanted for repairing various bits of metal.Other than that, she had little interest in
browsing.Just the type of customer
Bromo liked – decisive, easy to please and willing to pay without fuss.

Bromo
set his customer’s purchase on the counter. “Somethin’ else I can get for
ya?”

“Hmm?”

“Maybe nails?”

“Nails?”Xena realized she’d been staring at another
bin.“Uh, no,” she answered, shuddering
slightly at the thought.“Definitely
not on my list.”

The
merchant chuckled.“I hear ya.Been workin’ on a project m’self.Longer I’m at it, more alterations the
missus finds for me to do.”

“Mm.”Xena thought of her various attempts to keep
Alti’s vision from coming true.“Afraid
I’m the one making more work for myself.”She sighed.“Can’t say what I
change’ll make much difference.”

Bromo
took a seat on his stool, sensing maybe he could pass some time with a little
shoptalk.“Eh, the effort’s usually
worth it.Keeps my mind active.You know, tackling problems.Comin’ up with solutions.”He grinned.“Gives me an excuse to try out new tools.”

“Um,
yeah, there’s always that.”

“Whyn’t
ya take a load off?”Bromo indicated a
stool at the end of his counter.He
winked.“Betcha waitin’ on a friend who
fancies wanderin’ around markets more than you.”

“That obvious, huh?”Xena weighed wandering around, versus
passing the time with someone who appreciated the triumphs and tribulations of
shaping things with your own hands.She
sat on the stool.“We’re supposed to be
buying Solstice gifts for each other.”

“Ouch.”The man shuddered.“Worse than hammerin’ your thumb.I can never figure what to get my wife.”He snickered.“Unless she tells me.”

Xena
chuckled.“Luckily I get lots of
hints.Like a wooden lamb my friend
admired.Lately it’s been replacing
possessions of hers that got destroyed.”

“Sorry
to hear that.Fire?Flood?”

“Um,
no.Me.”

Bromo
laughed.“Wish I’d a thought of
that.”He got up to assist another
customer.“Sit tight.Shouldn’t take long.You can work on more tips for me while I’m
busy.”

Xena’s
mind drifted back a year ago, to events just before she’d had to fight a
Persian army.Gabrielle had sprained
her ankle attempting one of the warrior’s flips, but was too stubborn to admit
it until Xena’s chakram slice to her boot revealed the truth.And gave Xena the perfect answer for what to
give Gabrielle on Solstice a few days later.This year it would be the bard’s “sports bra” shirt.That merchant was right.Sure made shopping for gifts easier.“Heh.Maybe I can see the bright side.”

Then,
as if to confirm her proclivity for seeing the dark side, the warrior recalled
what she’d heard about Gabrielle’s version of the fairy tale they concocted for
Alecia.In it, the selfish dark-haired
“Pelia” mistreated her sweet blond stepsister “Tyrella” and her belongings as a
way to “avoid deeper emotions and intimacy.”Xena might’ve scoffed at such an interpretation before, probably
assigning it weight equal to the piece of clothing that inspired it.

But
since Alti’s vision, she had indeed begun fearing the consequences of her
closeness to Gabrielle.Accepting their
separation as “right.”Like allowing
herself to be imprisoned on Shark Island.Trying to leave Gabrielle out of events in Actus.Leave her behind with Najara.Weren’t those excuses to create distance
between them?Actions Gabrielle could
honestly interpret as pushing her away, regardless of the reason?

“So,
did you come up with more tips for me?”Bromo plopped down expectantly.He grinned at Xena’s expression.“Brain looked to be whirling faster than windmills in a stiff breeze.”

Xena’s
eyes were drawn once again to the bin of nails.“Guess it depends on what’s at stake.”

“Heh.Long as I get to be the hero.Keep my business, my home, my wife.”

“Yeah,
that would be nice.”Xena let out a
long breath.“The one I have in
mind?You could end up the wicked
witch.Hanging around?Holding on?Might still mean the end of everything that matters.”

♣♣♣♣♣

The
companions met at the appointed time and place, replenished themselves and
headed in opposite directions.Xena
honed in on clothing stalls.She chose
one conveniently displaying a bolt of green that matched Gabrielle’s former
top.The merchant watched her approach
almost as if he’d been expecting her.

“Can
I help you?”

“Probably.”Xena rolled her tongue in her cheek.“That cloth.Just happens to be what I need for a Solstice gift.”

“Yeah?Lucky day for all of us.”Zantron gave his customer the once
over.“You Xena?”

“Hm.It’s for a shirt.But skimpier.No
sleeves.Comes up to about here.” Xena
pointed to her breastplates.“And down
to here.”She placed the edge of her
hand across the top of her midriff.

“Shouldn’t
be a problem.”

“Mm.I haven’t told you her size yet.”Xena spread out her arms.“Kinda chunky.”

“Chunky?!”Zantron gaped in confusion.“But she’s….Um, how could she be?She’s your friend, right?A warrior like you?”

“Uh
huh.”

“I
could see … muscular.Sturdy.Surely – with the physical rigors and such –
she couldn’t be that large.”

Xena
shrugged, eyes twinkling.“You’re the
expert.Throw together whatever you
think’ll work.My gut says it’ll fit
well enough.How soon can I have it?”

“Um,
tomorrow afternoon okay?”

“Great.How much?”Xena shook some coins from a pouch and paid the “discounted” price
requested.“Oh, and wrap it for me
nicely, would you?”She winked.“Can’t have the recipient underestimating my
many skills.”

Zantron
watched her saunter away, the corner of his mouth twitching.She was a smart one, all right.Not that she needed to be to capture his
big, dumb cousin.True, Zantor had a knack
for stealing the spotlight – and anything else he could get.The family looked up to him.Eagerly awaited the spoils he showered on
them, the favors his intimidation exacted from local officials.Certainly respected more than the modest
living Zantron made serving the needs of others.

The
merchant reached under his counter and took out the green cloth he’d already
begun working on.He smiled to himself,
imagining how his relatives might react if they knew he’d made personal
acquaintance with Zantor’s formidable nemesis.And that the man Zantor had overshadowed all these years now held a bit
of her happiness in his hands.

♣♣♣♣♣

Ever
the optimist, Gabrielle was confident she’d find something for Xena amongst the
practical merchandise prevalent on this side of the market.When she caught sight of a stall displaying
tools, she remembered Xena complaining about losing her pliers.

“Looking
for somethin’ in particular?”

“I
think so.For a Solstice gift.Do you have any tools for repairing bridles
or armor?”Gabrielle noted the man’s
bemused interest in her shirt.She
scowled.“Yes, it’s made from a
sack.Not my fashion preference, I
assure you.”She snorted.“I should probably rethink my gift
idea.My friend has enough ways to
mangle my things as it is.”

“Your
friend.”Bromo bit his lip.“She wouldn’t happen to be a tall,
dark-haired warrior.”

“Why,
yes.She’s been here?”

“Uh
huh.Afraid she already got that
tool.”He grinned.“But there might be somethin’ else.”

“Really?It’s so hard shopping for her.”

“Well,
it’s nothin’ specific.More based on
hints I got talking with her.”

“That’s
a start.What’d she say?”

Bromo
scratched his beard.“Kinda confusing
really.Think it has to do with a big
project she’s workin’ on.Seems it’s
not going too well.You know, like a
fairy tale in her head – except without a happy ending.”

“Yup.”Bromo chuckled.“Weird, huh, comin’ from somebody so solid.Sure over my head.Anyway, seems to put a lot of stock in whatever it is.If she can’t do it right, she’ll be like the
wicked witch.Damned for tryin’, damned
if she fails.”He shrugged.“That’s all I got.Figure you can maybe decipher it.”

Gabrielle
sat on the stool at the counter’s end.“This … project.She give any
other clues?”

Bromo
thought back.“I figure a construction
of some sort.She kept starin’ at that
bin of nails.Could be she’s missing a
good – .”

“Nails?”Gabrielle leaned forward, an unwelcome guess
coming to mind.

“Uh
huh.That’s what got us on the fairy
tale track.I’d’ve brought out some
tools that might’ve helped, but she didn’t seem in the mood.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah.”Bromo snorted.“Said nails were the last thing on her list.”Noting his customer’s sharp intake of
breath, he asked, “You gettin’ some ideas?”

Gabrielle
slowly shook her head.“Afraid so,” she
answered tightly.She looked around the
promising bazaar she’d been so excited to enter a few hours ago.What on earth could she buy her tortured
soulmate that would lift the pall Alti’s nightmare vision had cast over even an
innocent fairy tale?

Bromo
regarded the young woman with some concern.He thought about his taller customer’s reference to destroying his
shorter customer’s things.He wasn’t
sure whether it had anything to do with the latter’s suddenly sad face, but
somehow that method for ensuring the right gift didn’t seem so funny
anymore.It was a good bet the
warrior’s project involved her friend.He found himself wanting very much for both of them to enjoy a happy
Solstice.

“Miss?I know this isn’t exactly a gift shop.I mean, that’s not usually why folks stop
by.But if there’s any way I can help
….”

Gabrielle
smiled her thanks and absently scanned his booth.“Actually,” she informed the merchant, straightening resolutely,
“this may be the perfect place.”

♣♣♣♣♣

The
sun was setting when the companions left to camp nearby.They had enjoyed another meal they didn’t
have to capture and cook, as well as the performance of a traveling dramatic
ensemble.Gabrielle indicated she
hadn’t quite finished checking out the goods in the sector she’d last
perused.Xena smugly patted the
saddlebag on her shoulder as though it contained something special.Gabrielle accepted her partner’s ruse
without any hint that, when they happened to pass a certain clothing stall on their
way out, the vendor secretly gave her the thumbs up sign.

The
next day, Xena said she’d hang out at the opposite end from where Gabrielle
continued her shopping.“How long will
you be?” she asked, as if they both didn’t know the new shirt probably wouldn’t
be ready for a few more hours.

Gabrielle
rolled her tongue in her cheek.“Depends.We could use some
vegetables and dried meat.But I’m in
no rush.”She took out a scroll.“Our fairy tale caper had lots of twists and
turns.I wanna make some notes while
it’s still fresh.”

“No
problem.Think I’ll take Argo for a
spin.Could be good fishing in a stream
I spotted.”

“Okay.Let’s meet back here later this
afternoon.I’ll have something to go
along with anything you might catch.”

“Sounds
good.”Xena saddled her Palomino and
rode off.

Gabrielle
waited until the sound of hooves died away, put out their fire and headed to
the market.The tool merchant had said
her gift would be ready later that morning.She intended to spend every extra moment examining all the things she
might not see again for a while.She
spent a leisurely few hours doing so, until about the time she figured Xena was
due back at the clothing stall.

“Hi,
there.”

Bromo
turned from arranging merchandise at the back of his stall.He grinned.“Hi, yourself.”

“Am I
too early?”

“Nope.”Bromo displayed a small box.“Even gave it some extra ‘oomph.’No extra charge.”

“Wow.”Gabrielle traced the intricate design around
the sides and the “X” carved on the lid.“It’s beautiful.Much more than
I’d hoped.Um, not that I didn’t think
you could … um ….”

“Eh,
it’s okay.”Beaming, the merchant held
up his hands.“These big ol’ paws look
more suited to pounding stuff.Not many
calls for orders like yours.Happy to
put my mark on it.”He pointed to a
tiny “B” on the bottom.“Stands for
‘Bromo.’”He watched with anticipation
as his customer opened the box.

“Oh,
Bromo, it’s perfect.Something told me
this was the place.I’m Gabrielle, by
the way, and so glad I made your acquaintance.”

The
two chatted a bit about Bromo’s work, until someone came up behind Gabrielle.

“Zantron.What brings you to my neck of the woods?”

“I
got some relief for a change.Figured
I’d taste how the other half eats.Plus, I recognized one of my customers.”

“Um….”Zantron ducked his head.“I kinda told my family.You know, that I was making something for
her and a friend.I … uh … figured
they’d be impressed.”

“Well
….Sounds harmless enough.It’s not like Xena’s skittish about
attention.”Gabrielle chuckled.“Although she is a bit shy about hero
worship.”

“Heh,
shouldn’t be a problem with Zantron’s uncle.”

“Oh?”Gabrielle raised a brow.“Why is that?”

“Isn’t
Xena the one put Zantor away again?”

“Yessss.”Gabrielle turned to the clothing merchant.

“Yeah,
yeah, so we’re cousins.I don’t happen
to share my family’s good opinion of him.”Zantron pursed his lips.“Like
the girl said, they’re harmless enough.What’s the big deal, they wanna see the woman took him down a peg?”

Gabrielle
fingered the box in her hand.“As you
say, word spreads in a market.Could it
have reached any of Zantor’s old buddies?”

“Aw,
come on.Even if they do, so what?Who’s got the guts to go up against the
woman who beat the biggest bully in these parts?”

“Bromo?”

“Comin’ right up.”Bromo took the box from Gabrielle, quickly stuck it inside a red
velvet bag and handed it back.

Xena
strolled toward her target, unfazed by the curious glances her way.She’d ridden to the stream for the heck of
it and actually found it worth an hour of peaceful fishing.She’d managed to order something for
Gabrielle without hurting her brain.And so she imagined she must be a curious sight – an armed warrior
whistling as if without a worry in the world.She determinedly maintained her good mood even as she noticed a
different vendor at the clothing stall.

“Meet
you?”The man realized the impression
he’d given.He shifted nervously.“Uh, no.Not like that, I mean.Zantor
has his good points, but we all know he played with fire.”He shrugged.“Just curious about the warrior who burned him.”

“Let’s
hope so.”Xena held the man’s
eyes.“You know what they say about
curiosity and the cat.”She patted her
saddlebag.“Got what I came for.And interesting chitchat.I’m feeling the urge to share it with my
fairy godssister.”She raised a warning
brow.“Wanna make sure she’s headed
toward a happy ending.”

♣♣♣♣♣

About
midway to the opposite side, Gabrielle came across a crowd gathering in an open
area bordering the market.Where there
was a crowd, there was often a tall, dark-haired female with a nose for
trouble, so naturally Gabrielle pushed through to check it out.The female in question did indeed stand at
the center of an outer ring of bystanders.The inner ring consisted of men in dark leather brandishing
weapons.She sighed and squeezed her
way to a spot between the two rings.

“Excuse
me!Helloooo!I say, excuse me!”

All
eyes finally tracked to the unlikely source of interruption, scowling with
hands on hips.The buzz died down,
partly from surprise, partly in anticipation of more excitement.

“What’s
with all the weapons?There are
children here.Someone could get hurt.”

One
of the men in the inner ring cackled.“Ya got that right.”He pointed
at the tall female who now stood rubbing her chin.“Her.”

“May
I ask why?”

The
man sneered.“Why not?Everybody here oughhta hear why.”He bared his teeth at the onlookers.“So nobody else makes the same mistake.”

Gabrielle
resisted what, to her, was the obvious answer and obligingly asked, “And that
would be?”

“Messin’
with Zantor’s folks.No way she should
sashay free and easy on his turf.”

“I
see.You do know about her, right?”

“That
she’s good at tricks?”The man
brandished his sword at Xena.“We’ll
see how good she is in a fair fight.”

“Fair?!Pfft.Maybe so, if there were twice as many of you.With her as she is now?Kinda ….”Gabrielle circled her
finger at her head.“Could be a
massacre.”

The
man snickered.“Yeah, we hear she’s
been out of sorts lately.Payin’ more
attention to morals than havin’ the right equipment.We visited Zantor at the prison.”He shared a laugh with his comrades.“Seems her fancy rope and gag smelled kinda girly.Soft as a chickadee’s butt.”

Gabrielle
waited patiently through the chuckles and off-color comments.“True, it has gotten worse since her run-in
with a whacko named Najara.”She shook
her head.“If you insist on attacking
Xena, I’d stay away from her right jaw.Particularly sensitive spot.Najara knocked out one of her ‘good chewing teeth.’”

All
eyes focused again on the tall, dark-haired woman.Initially a bit irritated by Gabrielle’s intervention, Xena had
begun warming up to acting crazy.She
summoned her most manic expression and growled, pleased when everyone took a
step back.

“Wait
a minute.”Another of the men narrowed
his eyes at Gabrielle.“Ain’t you her
lil buddy?Whyn’t we just grab you for
insurance?”

“Oooo.”Gabrielle nimbly squirted through to stand
next to Xena.“Bad idea.She’s even more sensitive about that.”

Xena’s
eyes had already turned to ice.“I’m
through playing.”She unsheathed her
sword and leveled it at the man with the bad idea.“Twitch in her direction, the next time it’ll be on the ground
like a headless snake.”She turned in a
circle, glare boring into each of Zantor’s fans.“You want a piece of me, we’ll take it to that field over there.
But understand this – you won’t have the benefit of my friend’s ‘girly’
shirt.I won’t need it.The only thing moving on you when I’m
done’ll be your blood running cold.”

Except
for shivers, the crowd was struck dumb and motionless.Gabrielle came up beside Xena and gently
pushed the warrior’s sword point down.

“Xena
did you a favor.”At the gang’s
incredulity, Gabrielle explained, “Zantor was wanted dead or live.Those ‘morals’ of hers made her take every
effort not to hurt him.Otherwise, you
couldn’t visit him.”She snorted.“Or entertain yourselves dreaming up ways to
break him out again.”She crossed her
arms.“Xena doesn’t ask for
thanks.She doesn’t care if, instead, it’s
threats.You made your point.Honored Zantor.The best you can do now is walk away.”

Zantor’s
fans exchanged glances.They studied
the silent of the two women in the middle, convinced the gabby one’s words
might truly save their necks.They sensed
the crowd might be disappointed by a peaceful resolution, but were suitably
impressed at how close they’d come to witnessing the opposite.

The
crowd parted before the gang’s rowdy exit.Before dispersing, many people smiled at Xena and Gabrielle.Others hung around a few minutes to see what
the two extraordinary women would do next.

“You
get the vegetables?”

“Um,
no.Got a little distracted.”

“Should
I wait here?Go back to – .”

“Not
on your life.”Gabrielle grabbed Xena’s
arm.“I’m not letting you out of my
sight.”She snorted.“Except maybe in the bushes.”

♣♣♣♣♣

Stars
twinkled brightly in the clear early evening sky – a glorious crown for the
small evergreen set a little apart from its elders, resplendent in shiny
ribbons and glass baubles that reflected the campfire a few feet away.

“We
did good, huh?”

“Senticles
would be proud.”Gabrielle eyed three
of the five gifts at the foot of the little tree.“Um, should we see what he left us?Or wait until tomorrow.”

Xena
chewed her lip.“Hmm.That’s a toughie.There’s something to be said for waiting until the official
day.You know, tradition and all.On the other hand ….Lots of folks think doing it on Solstice Eve
is fine.Especially,” she said, cutting
her eyes at an obviously impatient Gabrielle, “when youngsters are involved.I guess it depends.”She scrunched her face in further
contemplation.“I mean, ya got pros and
cons for each.If we do it now –.”

“Yes!My thoughts exactly,” Gabrielle said,
springing up to retrieve the gifts.She
handed Xena two and dropped down on their blanket with hers, weighing and
shaking them before placing them in front of her.“Should I go first?Since
I have more?”

Xena
rolled her eyes.“As if wild horses
could stop you.”

“Okey
dokey.”Gabrielle decided to save the
real surprises for later.“Hmm, what do
we have here?” she asked, picking up the largest.“Such a pretty bag.”She
squeezed it.“Ooo, something
soft.”She slowly loosened the ties and
reached inside.“By the gods!” she
exclaimed, holding up a green top.“It’s just like my old one.And
the right size!”

Xena
pursed her lips.“You sound surprised.”

“Well,
it’s not exactly something you can get off the shelf.That’s why I said not to worry about –.”

“I
meant, that it fits.”

“Oh.Um, I just meant ….I figured I’d have to be there.You know, to try it on.”

Xena
snorted.“In my mind’s eye, you were.”

“True,
we have been around each other long enough.”Gabrielle grinned sheepishly.“However you did it, I appreciate the thought as much as the shirt
itself.”She pressed it against her
nose and sniffed.

“Noooo.”Gabrielle clucked.“I simply like the smell of new cloth.Okay, your turn.”

Xena
picked up the smaller of her gifts.She
unwrapped it to find a hooked-shaped fishing lure with golden fleece
attached.“Why, this is just like – .”

“The
one you fashioned to snare Solaris?Uh
huh.Only this time you won’t have to
snatch any of my hair to make it.”

Xena suppressed a snigger, recalling their
Mystic Diamond caper, particularly Gabrielle accidentally spreading bug juice
on her lips, nearly drowning in the reflection of herself as “the ultimate
fantasy,” being tricked into fighting thieves, throwing a hissy fit at strands of
her “beautiful golden locks” being made into a fishing lure.

“Xeeena.”Gabrielle scowled, knowing full well the
source of her partner’s expression of merriment.

“Sorry.Brings back such fond memories.”Xena smiled her appreciation.“Can’t wait to try it out.”

“Humph.”Gabrielle’s pique vanished when she
remembered why they were sitting there.She grabbed her second gift and tore off its wrapper to reveal small
sheets of papyrus between heavier covers, bound in such a way that the top and
each sheet could be flipped up.“For
writing?Like notes?”

“Uh
huh.Saw Salmoneus with something like
that.Way back when we first met.”Xena rolled her eyes.“He had delusions of doing a ‘best seller’
about me and Hercules.”

“It’s
so unique,” Gabrielle enthused, inspecting the pad.“Convenient.Small enough
to stick in my waistband if I want.”She gazed at Xena with wonder-tinged gratitude.“I love it.”

“You’re
welcome.”The warrior reached for her
second gift to hide a slightly smug smile at coming up with something suitable
on her own.She opened the red
bag.“Verrry nice,” she said, examining
the intricately carved box.“For my
fish hook?”

Gabrielle
chuckled.“If you want.Bromo, the tool merchant, made it.Another gift is inside.”She clapped her hands.“Wait!Don’t open it yet.That counts
as number three, right?”

“And
you call me competitive?”

“I’m
merely prolonging the drama.”Gabrielle
picked up her last gift.Inside the
piece of bright cloth she found a pair of small golden hoop earrings.“Xena, they’re beautiful.”Lips pursed, she fingered her new top.“Definitely deserving of something less …
rustic.”

“Mm.I was thinking you could save them.”Xena crossed her legs and smoothed her
skirt.“You know,” she continued, adjusting
her arm guards, “to match a ‘softer, brighter’ look?”

“Xena!We’re going?To India?”

“No
harm in planning it.If things fall in
place, change of scenery could be good.”Xena silently added to herself, “As far from Romans as we can get.”

“Oh,
I’ve heard such good things about the culture.The healing practices and philosophies.The melding of body, mind and spirit.” Gabrielle scooted closer to Xena
and lay her hand on the warrior’s knee.“Could mean a fresh start for both of us.”

Smiling,
Gabrielle pointed her chin at the box on Xena’s lap.“Look inside.Maybe it’ll
give you a push.”

Brow
raised, Xena lifted the lid.She stared
at the contents a moment before slipping her finger through a long chain, from
which dangled a little carved figure in a white gown, with yellow hair and what
appeared to be a scepter in its hand.“It’s lovely.An …
ornament?For the tree?”

“An
ornament,” Gabrielle responded, taking the figure and putting it up to Xena’s
chest, “for you.Also courtesy of
Bromo.I got the idea from his
conversation with you about fairy tales.”She narrowed her eyes.“And
nails.”She returned it to Xena, reached
into her cleavage and pulled something out.“Remember this?”

Xena
blinked at the toothpick doll “dressed” in brown leather, dark yarn framing its
head.Gabrielle had fashioned it to
demonstrate Xena’s flip technique.“You
still have that?Even though ….”

“Even
though I messed up my ankle and nearly got us both killed?”Gabrielle stretched out on her side.“You said I was your source for doing the
impossible.Would’ve sacrificed
everything to save me, if I’d let you.Instead, we survived.For the
sake of the greater good.To grow
stronger.Together.”Gabrielle caressed the stick figure.“That’s what this reminds me of.When I have doubts or we’re apart.A little bit of you I can touch whenever I
need.”

Xena
nodded, smiling wryly.“So now I’ll
have another ‘you’ attached to me?”

“Your
very own fairy godssister.”

“Mm.And this little stick’s a magic wand?”

“If
you’re willing to believe.”Gabrielle
sat up and leaned forward, her eyes serious.“Yes, I’m human.Flawed and
powerless in ways we’d both rather forget.”Her jaws clenched.“Even so –
fairy tale or reality – I’d hope you’d see more possibility of good in that
than Alti’s vision of me hanging from a cross.”

Xena
swallowed back that image, as well as the one she’d neglected to reveal yet –
herself crucified next to Gabrielle.Helpless to do the impossible they both counted on more than any magic
wand.But Gabrielle was right.Until or if the vision came true, they
couldn’t let that prevent them doing their best, from seeing and believing in
the best of each other as always.

“Know
what’s funny?”

“No,
but I’d love to hear it.”

“I
was so determined to make my ‘Tyrella’ independent.I didn’t want Alecia fantasizing about somebody else writing her
story.That she had no hand in it.”

“You
helped her see even a little girl can shape her destiny.Accepting her stepmother’s love was the key
to her happy ending.”

“But
I was wrong about doing it alone.”Xena
studied the little figure in her hand, before slipping the chain over her
head.“I’ve carried a magical spirit
with me for precious years now,” she said pressing the figure against her
chest.“I sometimes take her for
granted, unless something extraordinary forces me to call on her.Her hand is on mine in almost everything I
do.Usually guiding.Sometimes stopping.Never letting go.”She stuck the figure between her breasts.“Yeah, a reminder is the perfect gift.”She gave Gabrielle a lopsided grin.“Thanks.”

“She’s
the wicked witch, right?But also
inspiration for my godssister necklace.For seeking new vistas.”Xena
smirked.“Possibly acquiring new
‘looks.’Who knows where trying to
create a better ending than hers could lead?Gotta be Elysium, compared to … that.”

“Xena
Fairy Godswarrior?”

“Yes,
Gabrielle Fairy Godsbard?”

“Remember
when you said you weren’t much of a storyteller?More a ‘woman of action?’”

“Yesss.”

“No
offense, considering your many skills.When it comes to spinning?I
think you’re right.Better you stick
with the chakram.”